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The Daily Insight Hub

Can anyone write a cease and desist letter?

Author

Sarah Martinez

Updated on February 18, 2026

Yes, anyone can send a Cease and Desist Letter. You do not need to hire an attorney to write one for you. An attorney, however, can help you determine whether your rights have been violated and if you have enough grounds to pursue legal action.

Can I tell a collection agency to cease and desist?

Under the FDCPA, you can tell a debt collector to stop contacting you; but it’s not always a good idea. The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) gives you the right to force a debt collector to stop communicating with you.

Does a cease and desist letter have to be notarized?

A cease and desist letter does not have to come from a lawyer, and it does not need to be notarized.

What do you call a cease and desist letter from a debt collector?

The letter is called a cease and desist notification. However, not all debt collectors will follow the rules when it comes to stopping calls. In fact, in 2011 the Federal Trade Commission filed charges against one large debt collection company that failed to comply with cease and desist letters (among several other law violations).

Can you send a cease and desist to a collection agency?

There are many effective ways to handle collection agencies when you’re in debt. Cease and desist letters are a firm way to stop them from contacting you altogether. While other options are also worth exploring, understanding the purpose and function of cease and desist letters can help you avoid aggressive calls on a regular basis.

How to ignore a cease and desist letter?

However, there are other ways to ignore the phone calls without needing to file a cease and desist letter. Transfer your power of attorney to someone else who may take the calls from your creditors. This way, you can avoid calls while you figure out your plan of attack for paying your debts.

What happens when a cease and desist is issued?

Upon the issuance of a cease and desist order, the offending party will be ordered to “cease” and “desist” certain actions until a hearing is held. This formal order is legally referred to as a “temporary injunction.”